BCJul 31, 2020
No charges for off-duty Langley RCMP officer involved in 2019
The BC Prosecution Service says there will be no charges against a Langley RCMP officer involved in an off-duty motorcycle crash last year.The officer's SUV and the motorcycle collided in a Langley intersection on July 1, 2019, seriously injuring the motorcycle driver.B.C.'s police watchdog, the Independent Investigations Office, looked into the crash and filed its report in April to the prosecution service for consideration of charges.The officer faced potential charges including careless driving and unsafe lane change. But the prosecution service says the available evidence doesn't meet its
BCJul 31, 2020
13 overdose deaths in Yukon so far this year is double last year's total toll
The number of fatal overdoses in Yukon has leaped to 13 so far this year, more than doubling the number recorded in the territory for all of last year. Yukon Health Minister Pauline Frost says most of the deaths are linked to increasingly toxic opioids that have replaced the regular supply of street drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic. She says drug testing will be stepped up across Yukon and several other harm reduction measures are being launched. Enhanced training on the use of naloxone, which can reverse opioid overdoses, begins next week in Watson Lake and the community will proclaim Augu
BCJul 31, 2020
Victim in Vancouver's ninth murder being remembered as a ``beautiful person'' who ``saved many lives''
A worker at an overdose prevention site in Vancouver is being remembered as a ``beautiful person'' who ``saved many lives.'' Vancouver police say 41 year old Thomas Donaghy was fatally stabbed after being involved in a fight with an unknown man outside the overdose prevention clinic where he was working. Fellow volunteers at the clinic say Donaghy had just stepped out for a break at about 8:30 Monday when he was attacked and stabbed. Police are seeking dash cam video taken near St. Paul's Hospital at that time and say investigators believe several witnesses to the city's ninth murder of the y
BCJul 31, 2020
BC Hydro says pandemic hits Site C project, expect delays, cost increases
British Columbia's massive Site C hydroelectric dam project has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and now faces construction delays and rising costs.BC Hydro president Chris O'Riley says in a quarterly update submitted to the B.C. Utilities Commission that the pandemic has had a material impact on safety, cost and schedule for the project in northeast B.C.Site C's budget in April 2018 was estimated at $10.7 billion, including reserve and contingency funds amounting to about $1.5 billion for unexpected costs.O'Riley's update to the utilities commission does not estimate the extent of incre
BCJul 30, 2020
29 new COVID-19 cases in B.C., cases related to Abbotsford berry packing plant rise to 59
There are currently five people in hospital, sickened with COVID-19, the lowest number since March. Health Minister Adrian Dix says he's pleased to see the lower figure from the peak of 144 people in hospital. There are no deaths to report, but another 29 positive cases have been added to list. While there are no new outbreaks, there are now 59 cases linked to Fraser Valley Packers, the Abbotsford berry packing plant. Total number of COVID-19 cases in British Columbia is now 3,591.
BCJul 30, 2020
Visitors aren't welcome during COVID to northwest B.C.'s Tahltan Nation
The Tahltan Nation has issued a notice that the public should avoid its territory in northwest British Columbia until the there's a vaccine or community immunity for COVID-19.The Tahltan says in a statement that the consequences of spreading COVID-19 are too great, given the limited access to acute medical care for residents.The nation's territory spans almost 96,000 square kilometres of land or about 11 per cent of the province.The statement says all non-essential travel to Dease Lake, Iskut and Telegraph Creek should be avoided and all recreational activity access points will be blocked with
BCJul 30, 2020
Four Vancouver plazas approved for pilot project allowing outdoor drinking
Vancouver council has approved a pilot project that would allow alcohol at four public plazas in the city. Council voted in favour of the plan yesterday and the project is slated to begin August 10th and continue until mid-October. Approved plazas include three in downtown Vancouver, one on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery, another near the Vancouver Convention Centre and the third on a reclaimed side street at Bute and Robson. The fourth plaza is also part of a blocked off side street on 17th Avenue at Cambie Street, in the Cambie Village neighbourhood. A report on the proposal sa
BCJul 30, 2020
High tempratures in forecast for parts of B.C., heat warnings issued
Residents across much of southern Alberta, central and southeast Saskatchewan and British Columbia's southern Interior are sweltering through a hot spell. Environment Canada heat warnings or special weather statements are posted in those regions. The Fraser Canyon community of Lytton, B.C., which often claims the title of hottest place in the country, is forecast to reach a high of 40 C, while the city of Kamloops is expected to be just one degree cooler. Temperatures are lower in Alberta and Saskatchewan, but high humidity in many areas, including Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Saskatoon, will
BCJul 30, 2020
Body found in a vehicle in Burnaby, homicide detectives investigating
Homicide detectives are investigating the discovery of a body in a vehicle in Burnaby, B.C.
RCMP say the region's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been called to an industrial area of southeast Burnaby after what is described as ``human remains'' were spotted in the vehicle.
Based on the investigation so far, RCMP say the death does not appear random.
They also say there is likely no risk to the public. No other details have been released.
Officials with the homicide investigation team could provide more information later.